The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-11
REV. HENRY CLIFFORD.

We are again called to chronicle the
departure of a veteran Universalist,
and veteran of vetxrans. Rev. HEN
RY CLIFFORD, whosE name is widely
known throughout DIR Church, and fa-
miliar as househoH word to those of
the past generation, exchanged life for
immortality, on Tueday morning, May
81, at Columbus, O. His funeral was
attended on Friday, une 8, by Rev. G.
E. Nash, of Akron. From particulars
of his last days, furn&he by his daugh-
ter, Prof. Jennie Oxford, of Buchtel
College, we are enaiNed to print what
follows. Miss Gifforp writes 'Father
had been unusually wbll for two or three
days previous to his fnal attack of par
alysis Sunday, May ~, a. 5 o'clock. He
was conscious to thk last, though un-
able to speak undeII tandingly for the
last twelve hours. Ne has felt for the
past year that his &Flrse was nearly
run. He died withoSt a struggle, or a
gasp. In fact, they ardly knew when
he breathed last. at 9:45 Tuesday
morning he was gone During the past
year he has frequently said he had no
business here. All his family, together
with his wife and sonpf our family, had
passed away, and thiE was no place for
him."
Biographical Sketch Of Rev. Henry Clifford.
HENRY CLIFFORD was born in Albany,
N. Y, March 25, 1s10% His family were
all of the orthodox faith, represented by
Presbyterians and Baptists.
When about nineteen years of age, he
bought his time OF hi& father, and until
about twenty two. worked at carpentry.
In the spring of '32 be began studying
for the ministry with /. d. Williamson.
L. G. Marvin was a student part of the
time with him. He preached his first
sermon at Duanesburgh, N. Y, July, 1882,
for Rev. R. o. Williams (who is yet with
us), who was called Elsewhere. He re-
ceived right hand of fellowship of Hudson
River Association at Troy, N. Y, Sept.
13, 1892 At this Association Rev. Thos.
J. Sawyer acted as Moderator, and Rev.
r. o. Williams as CLERK. His first settle
ment over a society was at Shrewsbury,
VT, in January, '33. Here he was ordain-
ed by a special council committee of Yer
mont Convention OF U4iyersalists on Nov.
IA, 1888. Rev. I. D. Williamson preached
the ordinahon ssfn and gave. the.
charge. At this meeting were present
Warren Skinner, who acted as moderator,
Eli Ballou, J. M. Austin and others.
Oct 10, 1884, Mr.. Clifford was married
to Della Ann Gates, of Herkimer, N. Y.
In 1887 he took charge of the society at
Wrentham, Mass, where he remained
until the spring of 1889, when he returned
to Shrewsbury. The following spring
he moved to Oxford, o., and remained
until the fall Of 1843, when he removed
to Erie, Pa, where he remained three
years. From his entrance upon the min
istry, he preached two and three times on
Sunday, besides holding many and long
discussions in addition to the other work
devolving upon minister. While in
Erie the lake winds proved too strong
for his throat, and his voice began to fail
him. With care and treatment it was
strengthened and he consented to an eight
days discussion with Charles Kingsley.
This discussion was held day and night
in the Baptist church. At this time he
took severe cold, which terminated in
the entire loss of his voice, and for three
years he was not able to preach at all.
"Never," said he, "will be forgotten the
sympathy and assistance rendered by
true and tried friends during those dark
and bitter days of misfortune and dis
couragement."
Not long after the discussion with
Chas. Kingsley, Elder Knapp, the Baptist
revivalist, was holding series of meet
ings in Erie, and he gave out notice that
on certain night he would preach the
funeral sermon of Universalism. Mr.. Gift
ford was present on this occasion, which
was violent TRADE against Universalism,
and at the close of the sermon he rose
and asked the privilege of speaking few
moments. Knapp cried out sit down."
"Put him out" Another request was
made, which was answered by a call, "Po-
lice Put that man out !" No one moved,
whereupon Knapp dismissed the congre-
cation, not allowing a word to be spoken.
Later, in the winter of 1845. Knapp held
a revival in Albany. Mr.. Gifford's native
city, and where he had just been Cat this
time not able to speak aloud) to visit his
sick mother. Here he made the state
ment, to a crowded house, that he had just
held great revival in Erie and while there
prayed the Lord either to convert Clifford,
Universalist preacher, or to strike him
dumb, and he was struck dumb immedi-
ately and never after spoke loud word
Rawdon Clifford, Mr.. Gifford's brother
was in the congregation and heard the
statement. He rose to his feet and said,
"That is false, and you must take it backP
Knapp said he would the next Wednes-
day night. Accordingly there had gath
cred more than house full TO listen to
the retraction. He made no reference
whatever to the affair, and was obliged
to leave the city in disgrace. A few years
later, Elder Knapp told the same story
in ZanaaviIla q with the same aueeaea